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Dallas Stars Wish AAC Happy Fifteenth Birthday

By Micaela Hamid

Oct 9, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the arena before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the arena before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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You know that feeling when you forget to send someone a birthday card until two days after the actual date? Yeah, we’re there now. But better late than never, right? So, for the record, happy fifteenth birthday to the American Airlines Center!

If walls could talk, the AAC would have so many amazing stories to tell about the incredible things it has witnessed in its fifteen years. Artists like Cher, Madonna, Beyonce, Justin Beiber, Metallica, and Garth Brooks (a little something for everyone!) have rolled through on tours, and the arena has been home to the Mavericks and Stars since opening in 2001.

For many of us fans who frequent the arena, and for those of us who are in a long-distance relationship with our favorite team and have never even been, the sight of the AAC, whether in person or on screen, will always evoke a little bit of a coming home feeling.

Some of our best memories as Dallas Stars fans include this arena as their backdrop. So, in honor of the AAC’s fifteenth year, here are some of our fondest hockey memories from American Airlines Center, in no particular order.

Mike Modano‘s jersey retirement

Modano’s was one of the most epic and nostalgic jersey retirement ceremonies you could get. The ceremony honoring his career lasted more than an hour, but here’s a clip to refresh your memory.

Mike Modano‘s career with the Stars stretched outside the span of the AAC, but with so much time spent on that ice, it was only appropriate that the return home to the AAC on March 8, 2014,to retire as a legend and watch his number hoisted into the rafters of a building that will never forget his contributions to the game or his legacy.

Jamie Benn‘s Art Ross clinching moment

It seemed like the 14-15 season would end rather abysmally, as the Dallas Stars had launched their fight back from the bottom way too late in the season. However, despite the corporate feeling of defeat, the Stars had one hope to hold onto: seeing their Captain win the Art Ross.

And on April 11, 2015, in their final season game against the Predators, the Stars rallied to help accomplish just that. In a 4-1 win, Jamie Benn notched the final point that pushed him ahead in the race on a secondary assist with only 8.5 seconds on the clock.

Not only was it an amazing team moment, but it was beyond amazing to see such a humble player get the individual recognition he deserved, and handle it so graciously. That day, the AAC got to witness the first ever Art Ross achievement in the franchise, and it was not a moment easily forgotten.

Stars’ first playoff clinching win in 5 years

Exactly one year prior to Benn’s Art Ross victory, the Dallas Stars experienced an immeasurable team victory. On April 11, 2014, after a long 5 year struggle to bring playoff hockey back to Dallas and revive the Modano era, the Stars shut out the St. Louis blues at home to clinch their first playoff spot since the 07-08 season.

This was a breaking-through of a major sort and renewed a lot of faith in this team. Although the Stars were denied by Anaheim in the first round, this clinching victory was the beginning of a new era where, slowly but surely, the Stars have again found their path on their rise to the top.

Inevitably, the AAC has seen a lot of disappointing and disconcerting moments as well. It was where, in March of 2014, Rich Peverley‘s cardiac incident stopped time, but also brought the whole league together.

It was where the Stars suffered their 2014 playoff-ending loss to the Ducks in Game 6, and where their dreams of winning the 2016 Western Conference finals came to a screeching halt in Game 7 against the Blues.

But in my opinion, you need the bad times and the good. Because at the end of the day, what the AAC really symbolizes for Dallas Stars fans is the bonds that the game has formed. When it comes down to hockey family, it’s the good, bad, and the ugly that keep us together and keep us on our feet, hoping and cheering no matter the outcome.

Next: Dallas Stars' Season Ending Superlatives

So here’s to the American Airlines Center and all the moments it has made a reality for Dallas Stars fans in its first fifteen years. Happy Birthday, AAC, and we can’t wait to see what your sweet sixteen holds!

What have been some of your favorite and most memorable occasions in the AAC? Comment and share them with us!

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